Singer Sly Stone Pleads Guilty to Drug Charge

Rock star Sly Stone pleaded guilty Thursday to a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence of cocaine, filed nearly three years ago, and was sentenced to 55 days in County Jail.

Stone, 45, whose real name is Sylvester Stewart, also was sentenced to five years’ probation and fined $897. Stone was arrested by Los Angeles police in January, 1987, for driving under the influence of cocaine, said Mike Qualls, a spokesman for the city attorney.

Qualls said that Stone fled California in April, 1988, but was recently arrested in Connecticut and extradited to California.

Stone and his group, Sly and the Family Stone, had a string of hit records in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including “Dance to the Music,” and “Family Affair.”